Episodes

For over 2,400 years, one persuasion framework has shaped the way we speak, influence, and win people over. From Aristotle to modern politicians, this system is still being used in the biggest moments today. In this episode, I break it down—and show you how to use it to win the room. An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with three people: Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Follow on ...

Ever watch a great speaker and think, "I wish I could sound like that"? Here's the problem: copying great speakers makes you worse, not better. In this episode, I break down Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech—not to teach you his style, but to reveal his process. The speech wasn't planned. It was a "rhetorical scrapbook" of material he'd been testing for years. When Mahalia Jackson yelled "Tell them about the dream, Martin," he had the mental library to improvise 4 minutes that ...

Never sound unprepared again! This episode is only 20 minutes. Sounding clear isn’t about having the perfect words — it’s about structure. In this episode, I walk through two frameworks that help you communicate confidently when you’re thinking on your feet. An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with three people: Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Follow on Instagram Subscribe on You...

One of the most conceptual episodes I've created. What is aura? And how can you harness it to improve how you connect with the people around you? Some people just feel good to be around. In this episode, we unpack why. We talk about aura as alignment — between who you are, how you show up, and how you read the moment — and how that quietly changes your confidence, relationships, and opportunities. An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed t...

2026 can be the year where you change your life. In this episode, I will help you do that. 36 minutes of tools, tips, and lessons that will make your 2026 your best year yet. These lessons include: how to change the mood of a conversation by knowing a topic shifting tool, how to add levity to moments where it's needed most, how to ask a well-timed question that will make you remembered, and why sensitive topics aren't as dangerous as they seem. This episode was largely inspired by TALK by Aliso...

I'm back! In this episode we're talking about something that doesn't get enough press: SOLITUDE. I think it's a gateway to conversation that needs to be practiced, especially nowadays! If you listen to this, take 2 minutes of tech-free solitude as a thank you to yourself. Subscribe to the talk to people podcast youtube if you like to watch video: https://www.youtube.com/@Talktopeoplepod See my other work I mentioned: onlytastes.com An easy way to send me a message? Click th...

EXPECTATIONS vs REALITY: work trips. Yay! A vacation! Oh wait - I'm alone, with flight delays, rental cars that smell like ketchup, and strange grocery stores? Yes! Welcome to the commute. You can email me at talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with three people: Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Follow on Instagram Subscribe on You...

We've all been there before - wishing we spent our time differently. Maybe we fell short of something and we knew that the reason why is because we mismanaged our time. Here are 3 time management ideas that I think you can take to the bank and cash it in - similar to the MEGA MILLIONS. got any other suggestions that work? Comment below or email me at talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so,...

This episode is for anyone who is struggling with how they're using AI for their creative hobbies. It's one thing to outsource washing the dishes to the Maytag Dishwasher. It's another thing to outsource what I talk about on this podcast to ChatGPT. AI has been giving me a run for my money and my creativity. I am no longer using it for this podcast. You can email me at talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed ...

Have I told you about my full-time job? For the past six months I've been meeting with small business owners and entrepreneurs as a small business advisor. It has been perfect for me - I get to talk to people every day, I get to learn more about small business, and I'm meeting people all throughout my community. From this experience, paired with my few years as a small business owner, I have some delicious tips that could benefit you if you're thinking about starting a business. If you're not...

The swirly whirly world of turning 30 after a decade long adventure of the school of hard knocks 20's. In my twenties I got my first speeding ticket, I learned how to burgers with oats in them, and I climbed a mountain in New Mexico. There's a lot on my mind before I turn 30 - and there's a lot to look back on in my twenties. ENJOY! Email me at talktopeoplepodcast@gmail.com Read my blog about turning 30: https://www.talktopeoplepodcast.com/blog/three-things-everyone-should-do-in-their-t...

Nike’s 10 Principles are more than business rules—they’re a mindset. In this episode, Chris breaks down how these principles can help you build stronger relationships, take action in your life, and improve the way you connect with others. Whether it’s about showing up fully, embracing risk, or mastering the fundamentals, these lessons can be applied to your personal and social life—helping you grow into a more confident and connected person. Want to learn how to think like Nike? Tune in now. An...

In today's episode - we get a few things: my Patrick Mahomes impressionthe debrief of why post-game interviews matterhow to become more confident in yourself to talk to people at a churchhow to start conversations at workis there a difference between being socially anxious and introverted?can introverts be extraverts?An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with three people: Follow...

We share our lessons from 2024, from challenges like navigating Sunny's health and personal loss to celebrating career milestones and family joy. We also talk goals and dreams for 2025, offering insights into how they stay connected, resilient, and hopeful. Don’t miss some authentic reflections and tips for making 2025 your best year yet! An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with three peo...

Asking for help can feel awkward, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, we dive into the psychology and communication strategies that make asking for help easier and more effective. Whether you’re reaching out to a friend, coworker, or someone you admire, these tips will help you overcome the fear of being a burden and get the support you need. An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with th...

No more avoiding talking about politics. Here's a framework you can use to talk to your friends about politics and still keep them as friends. No blowups, no ghosting, no shutting down. Life is too rich to avoid talking about some of the most important topics we deal with. I mentioned two books: 1. Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen 2. Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the sh...

Have you ever been speechless - standing there with zero clue what to say? Thinking, "I really wish there was a cheatsheet I could use in this moment." Well, in this episode, I'm introducing you to a new tool called the Communication Equation. My guest is Doug Taylor, a communication consultant and the author of the Communication Equation newsletter. Doug has developed a framework that you can use to obtain effective communication. We discuss each part of the equation, what it looks li...

In this video is a research backed, 5-step program that outlines how to approach moving. The goal is that you will have an established social life within the first 6-weeks of moving. If you need any links that I used, contact me at talktopeoplepodcast.com An easy way to send me a message? Click the link here. Support the show Have you enjoyed the podcast? If so, follow it, rate it, and share it with three people: Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTub...

My guest today has been featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show, on Ryan Seacrest's Radio Show, and now the TALK TO PEOPLE PODCAST! He is on a journey to have a one-hour conversation with 10,000 different people. And I got to be one of them, well, #6489 to be exact! I stumbled upon Rob's journey and I knew I had to learn from him. In this episode, expect to hear: how Rob navigates each one-hour conversationwhat it's like to be on the Kelly Clarkson showwhat questions he likes to ask mostwhether ...

Dr. Daniel Maitland is a clinical psychologist, research, and professor at UMKC. He runs the Psychotherapy Research or Study of Connection, Intimacy, and Loneliness (PROSOCIAL) lab. I read a New York Times article about loneliness that featured Daniel - and this led to us recording a podcast together. In this episode, expect to hear: therapy red flags to be aware of how to identify depression how to deal with social anxiety the digital world's impact on our close relationships ...

12 years ago Andrew Hales had a video go viral on YouTube. This video landed him on TV, in newspapers, and on YouTube's home page. It also landed him with a new career idea - to be a YouTuber. I remember seeing some of his first videos and CRACKING UP. They were hilarious. After watching a few of them, I felt inspired to go out in the world and crack open conversations with people I have never met. Andrew Hales takes talking to people to a whole new level. In this episode, expect to hear: wh...

The day this episode releases is NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY. And who better to talk to then a friendship expert, Dr. Jeff Hall. He is a Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas and a visiting scholar at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law. Recently, he and his team facilitated the American Friendship Project, which is the most accurate and most complete account of American friendship. With over 4,000 participants, this survey reveals unexpected tr...

Get ready. I packed my bags and flew to North Carolina. The birds sang and the conversation flowed. It was an opportunity for me to connect with a dear friend, mentor, and former roomie. Allan Louden is a professor emeritus at Wake Forest University. He is the former Director of WFU's debate team - one of the most successful in university history. He is the former Chair of the Communication Department, the dog dad to Glacier, and a voracious conversationalist. In this episode, expect to learn:...

Humans are storytelling creatures. We relate through story, we're inspired by story, we're moved by story, and we experience life through story. From thousands of years ago to today - we've been sharing narrative with one another to come together. This episode is a reflection on that and some tactical info that may help your stories. Stories are important because that can improve conversation. And when conversation is improved, relationships are improved. And when relationships are imp...